Raising any child is a challenge, but what happens when they come as a pair? As any parent of multiples will tell you, sometimes only talking with another parent who's been there can get you through the difficult times and help you to cherish the moments that make twins truly "double the love." In this complete guide to raising multiples from infancy through the high-school years, Susan M. Heim, a mother of twins herself, offers the insight and advice that only a mother of multiples can give. It's Twins! arms parents with the information they need, from decisions about breast-feeding versus formula and classroom placement, to dispelling myths about twins and ensuring equal treatment while fostering individuality and combating competitiveness. Best of all, It's Twins! outdoes all those "dry" parenting manuals by offering chatty, bite-size bits of real-world wisdom and experiences from other moms and dads at various stages of twin-rearing, making this guide not just informative but entertaining as well.
It's Twins!
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More About the Author
Susan M. Heim is an author and editor, specializing in parenting, multiples, women's and Christian issues. She is a longtime editor for the bestselling "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series. Susan is the author of "It's Twins! Parent-to-Parent Advice from Infancy Through Adolescence," "Oh, Baby! 7 Ways a Baby Will Change Your Life the First Year," "Twice the Love: Stories of Inspiration for Families with Twins, Multiples and Singletons," "Boosting Your Baby's Brain Power," and numerous "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books. TwinsTalk, her website for families with twins and multiples, is at http://www.twinstalk.com. Visit Susan's author site at http://www.susanheim.com. She blogs about parenting at http://susanheim.blogspot.com and writing at http://www.susanheimonwriting.com.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Cheryl
Format:Paperback
This review may be biased since one of my stories is in this book. On the other hand, prior to becoming a mom, I was a counselor and have read many counseling/self-help books. When I found out I was pregnant with twins, I read every twin-specific parenting manual I could find (three books at the time). None of the books were as helpful and as interesting as this book.
"It's Twins" by Susan M. Heim is conveniently broken down into four different developmental sections (Ages 0-1; Ages 2-4; Ages 5-11; Ages 12-17). This makes it easy for the reader to quickly refer to the appropriate age level. Each section is then further broken down into Twin Tales, Twin Tips, Intriguing Twins, Twin Trivia and Points to Ponder. The Twin Tales are real-life stories written by parents of multiples (one of which is mine). These tales make the book more personal than other twin parenting books available. I only wish I had had the Twin Tips regarding air travel (which is three pages long) before I traveled with my twin toddlers since there were so many helpful suggestions that I could not find anywhere else (and believe me, I looked).
I have found this book to be extremely helpful in understanding and parenting my twins (and I am not just saying that because my story was in it). I only wish it had been written before they were born!
"It's Twins" by Susan M. Heim is conveniently broken down into four different developmental sections (Ages 0-1; Ages 2-4; Ages 5-11; Ages 12-17). This makes it easy for the reader to quickly refer to the appropriate age level. Each section is then further broken down into Twin Tales, Twin Tips, Intriguing Twins, Twin Trivia and Points to Ponder. The Twin Tales are real-life stories written by parents of multiples (one of which is mine). These tales make the book more personal than other twin parenting books available. I only wish I had had the Twin Tips regarding air travel (which is three pages long) before I traveled with my twin toddlers since there were so many helpful suggestions that I could not find anywhere else (and believe me, I looked).
I have found this book to be extremely helpful in understanding and parenting my twins (and I am not just saying that because my story was in it). I only wish it had been written before they were born!
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Ima Shopper
Format:Paperback
This book offers essential information for parents of twins and multiples. It is an amazing collection from parents who have experienced birth through college with twins. The detail is great and the writing styles fresh and natural. Check out Joanne Higgins Ensign's realistic view on breast feeding twins in the article "Five Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Breastfeeding Twins." The collection of articles reads like a round table discussion at a coffee shop. Informative, quick and straight to the point. Some articles like Cheryl Oberbeck Burn's "Twins Tale, Spring Parrots," offer surprising depth and vulnerability. In few words she conveys the challenge of making the preschool decision, doing the right thing, and being your own person.
Each article is followed by questions to assist the reader making their own choices.
This book offers a large amount of information in small bite size portions. A book to keep and reference again and again.
Each article is followed by questions to assist the reader making their own choices.
This book offers a large amount of information in small bite size portions. A book to keep and reference again and again.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It's been 17 years since my twin sons were born, and reading It's Twins! brought back many memories of those early years when I wasn't sure if I was going to make it through another day. Now I can laugh when I read other women's stories about trying to breastfeed twins, or answering those weird questions ("But they don't look alike at all--are you sure they're twins?"), or trying to go grocery shopping with two babies. I could go on and on, but I don't have to--this book says it all.
The author's experience as an editor for the series, Chicken Soup for the Soul, is reflected here, since the book contains stories by different people at different stages in their parenting journey. I could have written some of the stories in this book, which showed me that my experiences were not unusual, even if I thought they were at the time. I would have welcomed this book when my boys were young, just to show me others went through the same things that I did.
There is also plenty of general child-rearing advice, making it an all-purpose parenting book--very useful when you don't have much time to spend reading. Throughout the book are "Points to Ponder," questions related to the topics just covered, with space to write a few lines. For those of us who are already journaling, these questions are wonderful prompts to help us write about our experiences as a mother of twins.
One of the most valuable pieces of advice in the book comes in the toddler and preschooler section, where Heim says, "Respect each child's individual differences. Emphasize each child's strengths. And don't allow one twin to dominate the relationship to the detriment of the non-dominant twin.... Read more ›
The author's experience as an editor for the series, Chicken Soup for the Soul, is reflected here, since the book contains stories by different people at different stages in their parenting journey. I could have written some of the stories in this book, which showed me that my experiences were not unusual, even if I thought they were at the time. I would have welcomed this book when my boys were young, just to show me others went through the same things that I did.
There is also plenty of general child-rearing advice, making it an all-purpose parenting book--very useful when you don't have much time to spend reading. Throughout the book are "Points to Ponder," questions related to the topics just covered, with space to write a few lines. For those of us who are already journaling, these questions are wonderful prompts to help us write about our experiences as a mother of twins.
One of the most valuable pieces of advice in the book comes in the toddler and preschooler section, where Heim says, "Respect each child's individual differences. Emphasize each child's strengths. And don't allow one twin to dominate the relationship to the detriment of the non-dominant twin.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By JC
Format:Paperback
My twin boys are three months old and this book fits right in at this stage! My husband and I read it together and can't get enough! We love the stories and just smile because we have been their with our boys. Or we can see it happening with us. I wish I would have gotten it earlier! If you have twins or are having twins, this is a must read! Enjoy!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Twin Mom
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
My feelings on this book were different during the pregnancy vs. now that the twins have arrived. I am glad I read it before they were born, otherwise I would have never had the time. Some great tidbits.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I love this book! The articles, personal experience stories, and Points to Ponder are a wonderful blend of information, emotion, and help to parents seeking guidance and choices for their own parenting styles. No children are alike, and one approach does not fit all. This book understands that parents want to learn about different parenting approaches. The Points to Ponder help parents think through their various options. "It's Twins" is very well organized by developmental stages. As a teacher, this book was also very helpful to me in understanding the dynamics of the twin relationship and the issues faced by the twins in my classroom.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Misery loves company and we love this book.
It's true that there is strength in numbers, and knowing that many parents of twins go through the same struggles gives us strength or at least a point of comparison to our peers,... Read more
Published on October 26, 2009 by Kabul Fuentes
1.0 out of 5 stars
Extremely Disapponted
I purchased many Books re: Twins during my long and arduous 4 months on Bedrest with My Twins. I chose this book because of the many postive reviews. Read more
Published on August 22, 2009 by Violet & Henry's Mom
3.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty good, more anecdotal than instructional
Hilarious stories in this one, I can definitely relate to the chaos and craziness that is nonstop with twins. However, it's more just funny or warm stories than anything else. Read more
Published on May 11, 2009 by bertha mason
5.0 out of 5 stars
I could relate to so many of the stories
It's Twins is a wonderful way to connect you to other twin parents. So often as new moms and multiples moms we get overwhelmed and feel very housebound. Read more
Published on June 2, 2008 by Angel Mom
2.0 out of 5 stars
A Disappointment
I had hoped this book would share some insight on the special relationship of twins; instead I found it basic & not unlike other parenting books. Read more
Published on May 16, 2008 by E. Cooper
3.0 out of 5 stars
It's an OK book
This book was just "OK" for me. I'm a new Mom of identical twin boys (now 6 months old). I was looking for a book that would tell me everything I needed to know on the real... Read more
Published on May 3, 2008 by H. Scovell
5.0 out of 5 stars
would make the perfect gift for parents
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (5/07)
Raising twins can be a real challenge. Susan M. Heim offers invaluable advice in her new book "It's Twins. Read more
Raising twins can be a real challenge. Susan M. Heim offers invaluable advice in her new book "It's Twins. Read more
Published on May 21, 2007 by Reader Views
